The Pound Puppies
The Pound Puppies consisted of 26 episodes over two seasons and the second season was called “Allnew pound Puppies”. It was broadcast by ABC from September 1986 to December 1987.
The Show
The cartoon followed the adventures of a group of puppies who lived in a pound and were constantly looking for their forever homes. The main characters were Cooler, the leader of the pack, and his friends: Whopper, Bright Eyes, Nose Marie, and Howler. Together, they would go on wild adventures and try to find loving families for themselves and the other puppies in the pound.
The show was a huge hit, and its popularity led to the production of a wide range of Pound Puppies merchandise, including clothing, games, and of course, the beloved stuffed toys. The toys were a huge part of the franchise’s success, and they quickly became must-have items for children everywhere.
The Characters
The main cast for voices was:
- Adrienne Alexander – Bright Eyes
- Ruth Buzzi – Nose Marie
- Pat Carroll – Katrina Stoneheart
- Nancy Cartwright – Bright Eyes
- Peter Cullen – Captain Slaughter
- Ami Foster – Holly
- Dan Gilvezan – Cooler
- Robert Morse-Howler, Barkerville (Wagga Wagga)
- B.J. Ward – Whopper
- Frank Welker – Howler’s howling vocal effects, Scrounger
The Toys
The toys were designed to look like small puppies, and each one came with its own adoption certificate.
The original Pound Puppies toys were made of soft, plush material and came in a variety of colors and sizes. They had big, floppy ears and cute, droopy eyes that were impossible to resist. Each toy also came with its own adoption certificate, which added to the sense of excitement and adventure that surrounded the franchise.
One of the things that made the puppy toys so special was the attention to detail that went into their design. Each toy was carefully crafted to look like a real puppy, with fluffy fur, soft paws, and a wagging tail. The toys were also incredibly durable, which meant that they could withstand hours of playtime without showing any signs of wear and tear.
Merchandise
In addition to the original Pound Puppies toys, Tonka also produced a range of accessories and playsets that allowed children to create their own adventures for the beloved characters. These playsets included the Pound Puppies Headquarters, which featured a working elevator and a rooftop helicopter pad, and the Pound Puppies Pet Carrier, which allowed children to take their favorite puppies with them wherever they went.
Conclusion
The popularity of Pound Puppies toys and merchandise continued to grow throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1988, Tonka released a line of “Newborn Pound Puppies” toys, which were smaller and more affordable than the original toys. These toys were an instant hit with children and helped to cement the franchise’s place as one of the most popular toy lines of the era.
Today, the show’s toys are still beloved by children and collectors alike. While the original toys are no longer in production, they can still be found on auction sites and in vintage toy stores. There have also been several re-releases of the toys over the years, including a line of “Classic Pound Puppies” toys that were released in 2014.
In conclusion, it was not only a beloved cartoon series but also a beloved toy franchise. The toys were meticulously crafted to look like real puppies and came with their own adoption certificates, which added to the sense of excitement and adventure that surrounded the franchise. The toys were also incredibly durable and were accompanied by a range of accessories and playsets that allowed children to create their own adventures for the beloved characters. While the original toys are no longer in production, they remain a cherished part of many people’s childhood memories and a testament to the enduring popularity of the franchise.